IEC + AD Code for Amazon Global Selling: Step-by-step Registration

Two Indian registrations sit between your factory and any cross-border sale: the Importer Exporter Code (IEC) from DGFT, and the AD Code from your bank linked to your customs port.

Without an IEC, customs will not let your shipment leave the country. Without an AD Code, customs will not credit the export against your bank account for FEMA compliance.

IEC registration: Apply at DGFT.gov.in. You need PAN, bank account, address proof, photo, and digital signature. Standard processing is 2–5 working days. The IEC is permanent — does not expire.

Common reasons IEC applications get rejected: PAN mismatch with bank account, blurred address proof, mismatched director details for company applicants. Fix any inconsistencies in MCA / GST first.

AD Code registration: After your IEC is live, get an AD Code letter from your bank (typically your authorised dealer / corporate bank). Submit the letter at the customs port where your goods will exit India (or enter, for imports). Registration is per port — if you ship from Mumbai and Delhi, register at both.

AD Code typically takes 5–10 working days at the customs port. The most common delay is the bank issuing the AD Code letter — push your relationship manager.

LUT (Letter of Undertaking) for GST: not strictly needed but strongly recommended. LUT lets you export without paying upfront IGST, which would otherwise be refunded later. File for LUT each fiscal year via the GST portal.

Combined timeline if you run these in parallel: IEC (3 days) → AD Code (10 days) → LUT (5 days) = ~3 weeks from start to export-ready. We get most ScalerLabs clients to ready-to-ship in 2.5 weeks because of parallel filing and the right bank relationships.